By Justin Yoder, a sophomore music major from Perkasie, Pa. THIS WEEK’S THEME: Name him Emmanuel DEVOTIONAL: “Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus’ feet; Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.” I love this old hymn by 19th-century abolitionist and Congregationalist minister Jeremiah … Keep reading »
Dec. 10: The unexpected
By Jake Shipe, resident director DEVOTIONAL: Jews in the time of Jesus were waiting for the Messiah, the coming king. The Jewish nation was living in a time of oppression. The Messiah was to be the one to save the world and reconcile the Israelites to God. God sent his son Jesus to reconcile not … Keep reading »
Dec. 9: Waiting for what we need
By Jessica Gotwals, a sophomore nursing major from Telford, Pa. DEVOTIONAL: Christmas morning at my home in Pennsylvania looked a little bit different than many households. Instead of kids tearing down the stairs, too antsy to wait to open their gifts until a reasonable hour, my family opened presents on Christmas Eve. Regardless though, we … Keep reading »
Dec. 8: Keeping the Story alive
By Kelsey Shue, a senior communication major from Dalton, Ohio DEVOTIONAL: Gathered around the family dinner table, I remember my parents sitting back in their chairs, and with a content sigh, they began to tell “our story.” When I was still in diapers, my father attended seminary and my mother stayed at home to take … Keep reading »
Dec. 7: Dry land that blossoms abundantly
By Adriel Santiago, a senior theater and communication double major from Souderton, Pa. DEVOTIONAL: Isaiah tells us to be a voice that strengthens the weak hands and the feeble knees, and which says to the fearful, “Be strong, do not fear!” It is the voice also heard in Isaiah 40, crying out in the wilderness, … Keep reading »
Dec. 6: Go and tell
By Jeff Hochstetler, admission counselor THIS WEEK’S THEME: Go and tell DEVOTIONAL: Standing at the side entrance of the Mariendom, in Erfurt, Germany, I stared up at the sculpture work. Adorning either side of the entryway were statues depicting the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins told in Matthew 25. On the one side … Keep reading »
Dec. 3: It’s the message
By Ben Sutter, a sophomore history and communication double major from South Bend, Ind. DEVOTIONAL: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Wow, that is some kind of assignment. It’s a call to get people ready for the most life-changing event in history. John the Baptist is set apart by God to fulfill that role. God … Keep reading »
Dec. 2: Becoming more vulnerable
By Maria Koshmider, a sophomore elementary education major from Dundee, Ohio DEVOTIONAL: What does love really look like? Jesus Christ is God’s perfect image of love. Jesus befriended even the lowliest. He was a friend to sinners. God calls us to “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” with “one heart and … Keep reading »
Nov. 30: Turned on their head
By Debra Detwiler, professor of music, department co-chair (sp) DEVOTIONAL: Today’s Scripture passage – a description of the coming kingdom of God – sets power on its head with unusual language. The nouns of God’s righteousness are wisdom, equity, a belt around one’s waist, a shoot growing from a stump. Fantastical images are suggested: wolves … Keep reading »
Nov. 29: Prepare the way of the Lord
By Heather Goertzen, resident director THIS WEEK’S THEME: Prepare the way of the Lord DEVOTIONAL: I have a friend named Felisa who stands at 4-foot-nothing, has a third-grade education and twice a week prepares a three-course feast for women who prostitute in Bolivia.